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Hormone therapy and Menopause
From Reviews in Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2013
A new global consensus statement has been released and published regarding hormone therapy after menopause. Menopause hormone therapy is the most effective treatment for hot flushes and sleep deprivation, but is also beneficial for bone health, and may decrease mortality and cardiovascular disease. The benefits of menopause hormone therapy outweigh the risk for women younger than 60 or within 10 years of menopause. Local/topical low-dose estrogen therapy is preferred for vaginal dryness. Estrogen-only therapy is appropriate for women without a uterus. Transdermal (not oral) therapy probably has a smaller risk of blood clots than oral medications, but the risk of this complication in women who are less than 60 is small. The risk of breast cancer is a more complex issue, and is related to progestogen therapy, but the risk is small and decreases after treatment is stopped. Bioidentical hormones are not recommended. The use of menopause hormone therapy should be individualized, with discussion or risks and benefits and the needs of each woman considered.